The Home Front Cares (THFC) is an all volunteer, not-for-profit corporation that provides emergency financial assistance, goods and services to families of Active Duty, Activated Reserves and National Guard troops based in Colorado serving in harm's way.
THFC delivers assistance through a close collaboration with the Army Community Service at Fort Carson and the Family Support Centers at the United States Air Force Academy, Peterson Air Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station and Schriever Air Force Base. The family support centers identify and verify financial needs.
Grants to Families Fund Provides assistance for car repairs, house repairs, childcare, evictions, food, and other family emergencies.
Energy Assistance Program* As an agency of Energy Outreach Colorado, THFC receives limited grants to pay energy bills for all Active Duty, Activated Reserve and National Guard, living within the Pikes Peak Region, who need financial assistance.
*deployment not required
Wounded Troops/Casualty Assistance Fund This fund pays travel costs and incidental expenses of military family members traveling to visit seriously wounded service members in military hospitals. The same service is extended to family members to attend memorial services of service members killed in action.
Adaptive Housing and Vehicle Modification Program This program helps disabled military and veterans in the State of Colorado to obtain housing and vehicle modifications necessary to improve their quality of life and to aid them in adapting to their disabilities.
Welcome Home GWOT Heroes Program Since January 2004, the Welcome Home GWOT Heroes Program has supported welcoming events for returning soldiers, airmen, and families along with Memorial Services, Wounded Warrior Socials, and other functions not readily supported by DOD funding. Welcome Home GWOT Heroes provides a link for local citizens to actively participate in welcoming home our Hungry Heroes via a partnership with the Southern Colorado McDonald's operators. It also supports special needs for wounded warrior units at local installation hospitals, rehabilitative facilities, and the Warrior Transition Unit.
Phil Long's Operation Home Support The Phil Long family of car dealerships, in partnership with The Home Front Cares, helps to solve transportation problems for military families, through roadside assistance, rental car discounts and maintenance, service and repair discounts.
Become a Volunteer Today!!The Home Front Cares (THFC) is a volunteer organization. We depend on those who feel a passion for our mission to help the families of deployed military. There are many of you who have helped and many who have yet to discover how rewarding and productive a volunteer position with The Home Front Cares can be. Yes-We're talking about you! Send us an e-mail to see if you fit into one of the listed jobs or can help in other ways. We're always interested in hearing new ideas on how to help our military families.
We need:CaseworkersSpecial Events WorkersVolunteer CoordinatorsSpecial Skills Workers (plumbers, electricians, lawn care, etc.)FundraisingMore...
Contact THFCVolunteers@aol.com for more information and to apply for a position.
Outside Colorado but still want to help out? You can donate via our corporate site at: http://www.thehomefrontcares.org/Donations.html
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Diana KeelerVolunteer DirectorThe Homefront Cares
21 April 2009
17 April 2009
A Whole New World: Things to see and do in Disney World
A Whole New World: Things to see and do in Disney World
Going on vacation to Disney World does not have to be terribly expensive if the proper research and planning is done. There is a whole new world of things to do at Disney that are totally free. So before you make a reservation or commit to a resort or hotel, spend some time comparing vacation packages and weigh the pros and cons. After all, you want to make the most out of your vacation in the least expensive way.
The average vacation to Disney World is five to seven days. This is actually as much time it takes to see everything. Whether you are on your honeymoon or taking the kids to a whole new world, make the most out of Disney World and make it a trip to remember. But you don’t have to go broke while creating these memories. Take for instance all the free things you can do in and around Disney World that won’t even require park admission.
Downtown Disney has wonderful interactive exhibits such as the Lego Imagination Center, laden with some eye-catching Lego sculptures and a 3,000-square-foot outdoor play area filled with thousands of Lego blocks to play with. You don’t have to be a child to have fun with Lego’s, be creative and splurge.
The Interactive Fountains are amazing and fun and will make a great back ground for your vacation pictures. Jump in, splash around and make it a Kodak moment for your keepsakes. Check out the free magic shows at the Magic Masters. You can learn a few magic tricks to take home with you.
Pleasure Island is totally free during the evening hours. You can roam and revel in the shops and restaurants while you enjoy the entertainment and fireworks display. Admission is only required if you choose to go into one of the many night clubs on Pleasure Island, that is unless you have a pass, then entrance is free.
The Disney Boardwalk offers a nice variety of freebies as well. If you are lodging in a Disney resort or hotel, you can use Disney’s transportation to get to the boardwalk. If you choose to drive to the Boardwalk, you can get a free 3-hour parking permit from the lot attendant.
Have fun strolling down the Boardwalk and enjoy the street performers. From jugglers to jazz musicians, take in the atmosphere and enjoy. For dancing and live bands with no cover charge, stop by the Atlantic Dance Hall.
Just being a Guest at a Disney resort offers an array of free activities. You can choose from multiple children’s activities to swimming to free Disney transportation. Stop by the resort shops to see what clearance items are available as souvenirs.
Resort Guests or multi-pass holders are eligible to ride the Monorail free of charge. The Monorail is a favorite of Disney Guests, offering a spectacular tour of many of the parks inside Disney. Also as a resort Guest you can take advantage of the nature trails and walkways.
Enjoy cruises from Port Orleans along the Sassagoula River to Downtown Disney and back. While you’re in Port Orleans be sure to visit the Butterfly Garden located behind Acadian House.
You can enjoy a romantic cruise of Crescent Lake and visit Epcot, the Yacht and Beach Club, Swan and Dolphin, and MGM along the way. While you’re enjoying the open water you can take the boat that visits the Magic Kingdom, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness, the Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. At night you can watch for the magnificent Electric Water Pageant as it floats around the lake stopping at each of the resorts.
While Ft. Wilderness is open to all Walt Disney World resort guests, it would be a nice way to end a night by stopping in for roasting marshmallows on a campfire and a movie shown on a large outdoor screen. This is held every evening, near the Meadow Trading Post. The evening starts with a sing-a-long song and marshmallow roast. You can purchase food there or bring your own. Disney characters will be there to meet the guests, to sign autographs, and pose for pictures. There is seating available or you can bring along a blanket to lay on and relax while enjoying the entertainment under the stars.
Take advantage of everything Disney World has to offer and enjoy!
Going on vacation to Disney World does not have to be terribly expensive if the proper research and planning is done. There is a whole new world of things to do at Disney that are totally free. So before you make a reservation or commit to a resort or hotel, spend some time comparing vacation packages and weigh the pros and cons. After all, you want to make the most out of your vacation in the least expensive way.
The average vacation to Disney World is five to seven days. This is actually as much time it takes to see everything. Whether you are on your honeymoon or taking the kids to a whole new world, make the most out of Disney World and make it a trip to remember. But you don’t have to go broke while creating these memories. Take for instance all the free things you can do in and around Disney World that won’t even require park admission.
Downtown Disney has wonderful interactive exhibits such as the Lego Imagination Center, laden with some eye-catching Lego sculptures and a 3,000-square-foot outdoor play area filled with thousands of Lego blocks to play with. You don’t have to be a child to have fun with Lego’s, be creative and splurge.
The Interactive Fountains are amazing and fun and will make a great back ground for your vacation pictures. Jump in, splash around and make it a Kodak moment for your keepsakes. Check out the free magic shows at the Magic Masters. You can learn a few magic tricks to take home with you.
Pleasure Island is totally free during the evening hours. You can roam and revel in the shops and restaurants while you enjoy the entertainment and fireworks display. Admission is only required if you choose to go into one of the many night clubs on Pleasure Island, that is unless you have a pass, then entrance is free.
The Disney Boardwalk offers a nice variety of freebies as well. If you are lodging in a Disney resort or hotel, you can use Disney’s transportation to get to the boardwalk. If you choose to drive to the Boardwalk, you can get a free 3-hour parking permit from the lot attendant.
Have fun strolling down the Boardwalk and enjoy the street performers. From jugglers to jazz musicians, take in the atmosphere and enjoy. For dancing and live bands with no cover charge, stop by the Atlantic Dance Hall.
Just being a Guest at a Disney resort offers an array of free activities. You can choose from multiple children’s activities to swimming to free Disney transportation. Stop by the resort shops to see what clearance items are available as souvenirs.
Resort Guests or multi-pass holders are eligible to ride the Monorail free of charge. The Monorail is a favorite of Disney Guests, offering a spectacular tour of many of the parks inside Disney. Also as a resort Guest you can take advantage of the nature trails and walkways.
Enjoy cruises from Port Orleans along the Sassagoula River to Downtown Disney and back. While you’re in Port Orleans be sure to visit the Butterfly Garden located behind Acadian House.
You can enjoy a romantic cruise of Crescent Lake and visit Epcot, the Yacht and Beach Club, Swan and Dolphin, and MGM along the way. While you’re enjoying the open water you can take the boat that visits the Magic Kingdom, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness, the Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. At night you can watch for the magnificent Electric Water Pageant as it floats around the lake stopping at each of the resorts.
While Ft. Wilderness is open to all Walt Disney World resort guests, it would be a nice way to end a night by stopping in for roasting marshmallows on a campfire and a movie shown on a large outdoor screen. This is held every evening, near the Meadow Trading Post. The evening starts with a sing-a-long song and marshmallow roast. You can purchase food there or bring your own. Disney characters will be there to meet the guests, to sign autographs, and pose for pictures. There is seating available or you can bring along a blanket to lay on and relax while enjoying the entertainment under the stars.
Take advantage of everything Disney World has to offer and enjoy!
TRAVEL AGENTS: MASTERS AT COMPLEX VACATION PLANNING
TRAVEL AGENTS: MASTERS AT COMPLEX VACATION PLANNING
Smart Money Magazine says travel agents can help with travel perks, lower prices
Internet or travel agent? It’s a dilemma many people are wrestling with as the summer vacation season heats up.
If you think most travel agents would always recommend their services over booking a trip online, think again. “Depending on the individual needs of the traveler and the complexity of the trip, a travel agent may not be necessary,” advises Diana Keeler of Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC, in Colorado Springs, “especially if it’s a simple airline ticket or booking a room at a well-known hotel chain. The Internet has made those types of transactions easy for most travelers. On the other hand, if your trip involves multiple destinations or several trip components, or you’re seeking a truly unique and personal vacation, that’s when an experienced, well-connected travel agent can really make a difference.”
According to Smart Money magazine, travel agents can also use their connections to obtain hard-to-get travel perks for their clients. In the “Smart Spending” section of its June 2007 issue (“Travel Agents Are Staging a Comeback”), the magazine states, “… web sites like Hotels.com, Orbitz and Travelocity are losing some of their edge, especially when it comes to high-end locations. And customer displeasure is starting to show; growth in the once red-hot online travel business is cooling, up 20 percent last year after a 28 percent increase in 2004. Enter the travel agent, the most savvy of whom can use longtime connections to secure that ‘sold out’ room or coveted aisle seat …” Indeed, many travelers enjoy numerous special privileges because of the long-standing relationships their travel agents have developed over the years with travel suppliers.
Here are five other scenarios when a travel agent’s expertise may outperform the electronic variety:
Smart Money Magazine says travel agents can help with travel perks, lower prices
Internet or travel agent? It’s a dilemma many people are wrestling with as the summer vacation season heats up.
If you think most travel agents would always recommend their services over booking a trip online, think again. “Depending on the individual needs of the traveler and the complexity of the trip, a travel agent may not be necessary,” advises Diana Keeler of Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC, in Colorado Springs, “especially if it’s a simple airline ticket or booking a room at a well-known hotel chain. The Internet has made those types of transactions easy for most travelers. On the other hand, if your trip involves multiple destinations or several trip components, or you’re seeking a truly unique and personal vacation, that’s when an experienced, well-connected travel agent can really make a difference.”
According to Smart Money magazine, travel agents can also use their connections to obtain hard-to-get travel perks for their clients. In the “Smart Spending” section of its June 2007 issue (“Travel Agents Are Staging a Comeback”), the magazine states, “… web sites like Hotels.com, Orbitz and Travelocity are losing some of their edge, especially when it comes to high-end locations. And customer displeasure is starting to show; growth in the once red-hot online travel business is cooling, up 20 percent last year after a 28 percent increase in 2004. Enter the travel agent, the most savvy of whom can use longtime connections to secure that ‘sold out’ room or coveted aisle seat …” Indeed, many travelers enjoy numerous special privileges because of the long-standing relationships their travel agents have developed over the years with travel suppliers.
Here are five other scenarios when a travel agent’s expertise may outperform the electronic variety:
1. If you’re going on a cruise –With nearly 150 cruise lines and more than 225,000 staterooms to choose from, according to Cruise Lines International Association, where does one begin to narrow the choices for this very popular vacation option? Try a travel agent. Travel counselors stay plugged in to what’s hot – and what’s not – by frequently going on cruises and ship inspections and attending industry workshops. Agencies like Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC can also work on your behalf to get you the best price, plus special perks and benefits not available when booking online or directly with the cruise line. For instance, Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC can book you on one of its popular Ensemble® Hosted Cruises, which offers the extra attention of a knowledgeable host when needed during the cruise, plus other privileges like a private cocktail party onboard and a complimentary Ensemble® Experience shore event, ranging from gourmet luncheons and private museum openings to special musical performances and personally guided wildlife cruises. Expect the same insider information and special deals from many travel agents when it comes to independent or escorted tours.
2. If your trip is complex – A vacation involving a 10-day Mediterranean cruise followed by a week on your own driving the Grand Corniche into Monte Carlo and on to Provence requires numerous airline, cruise, hotel, and car reservations. Arrival and departure times, hotel check in and check out policies, directions to the rental car agency, all can be overwhelming to most travelers. Leave those critical details (they’re all interconnected, too) to a travel counselor who has instant access to it all. The travel pro can probably even give you turn-by-turn directions to pick up your car in Nice (and what to do if rental agency is closed when you drop it off), not to mention the best café for people-watching along the famous "Croisette" in Cannes.
3. If you’re looking for the out-of-the-ordinary – As more people search for the “road less traveled” when it comes to vacation experiences, savvy travel agents are creating quite a following in creating personalized “over-the-top” vacations for their adventurous clients. For instance, Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC has access to hundreds of unique experiences for their clients – oftentimes off-limits to the general public. Interested in complimentary breakfast for two in a 13th century Irish castle? Sipping champagne at the foot of a waterfall in Hawaii? Building a nomad home out of felt, wood, and rope in Mongolia? Arriving by seaplane for a romantic private lunch on a remote Scottish Loch? Whether it’s staying in a centuries-old castle or partaking in a culturally enriched encounter led by local experts, travelers have hundreds of these kinds of unique experiences to choose from when they book their vacation with a Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC expert.
4. If you’re traveling overseas – Do I need a passport and/or visa? What inoculations are required for entry? Are there security issues or travel advisories for this country? These are just three of a myriad of questions that a travel agent can answer for you within minutes. Travel counselors also have access to the specific locale and region, such as which museums are closed for renovation, which holidays shut down the city, and which festivals are coming up. Also, depending on your destination, certain “undiscovered” spots may not be accessible via the mainstream airlines (and by most travelers). Not to worry as travel agencies like Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC have relationships with charter carriers and lesser-known airlines to get you to your hidden treasure.
5. If you want an ally 24/7 – Many people like the comfort in knowing they have a built-in problem solver if anything should happen along the way. When your flight to Ft. Lauderdale is cancelled (meaning you may miss your cruise), or the resort has lost your reservation (and it’s sold out for the next three days), or you’ve slipped and broken your leg while shopping along the Strøget in Copenhagen (and you’re in desperate need of a doctor), who are you going to call? If you booked it through an agency, you’ve got help – immediately and round-the-clock. “Our clients have our home phone numbers and cell phones to contact us in the case of an emergency after hours,” said Diana Keeler of Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC. Travel agents can also recommend ways for you to save money without jeopardizing the quality of the vacation experience. Changing your departure or return date, selecting a similar but slightly different room at the resort, or modifying your choice of travel supplier in many instances will reap great savings.
And what about pricing? The Smart Money article also compared the vacation pricing of three traditional travel agencies to two travel Web sites. The results? The travel agents were able to deliver the greatest savings to their clients when going head to head with Expedia and Travelocity.
Indeed, a travel agent should not be the sole source when planning your next vacation. But if you’re seeking extraordinary experiences, insider connections, VIP treatment, and exclusive perks and privileges not possible on your own – plus the benefit of a real person – there’s none better.
Founded in 2008, Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC is a full-service retail travel agency specializing in cruises, all-inclusive vacations, resorts, and more. By partnering with Montrose Travel, Travel, Tickets, & More is able to provide top-notch travel arrangements with some of the best rates in the industry.
Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC is a member of Ensemble Travel® Group, an elite circle of professionals with knowledge of every type of vacation experience. Preferred partners include premier cruise lines, tour companies, on-site destination specialists, and hotels and resorts around the world. Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC offers special amenities and unique opportunities which are only available through an Ensemble Travel Group member agency.
Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC
http://www.travelticketsandmore.info
Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC Helps Consumers Avoid Travel Scams
Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC Helps Consumers Avoid Travel Scams
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Diana Keeler, TTMLLC@aol.com
Colorado Springs, CO, 16 April 2009 – A recent AARP survey estimated that 32 million Americans believed they had been the victim of a major fraud in the past year—that’s one in six consumers. As technology has become a part of everyday life, resourceful scam artists are finding more ways to target victims. They are using fax machines, the Internet and e-mail as well as traditional mailings to entice unsuspecting consumers. And unfortunately they’ve proven quite successful.
“Beware of travel offers that are big on pictures and promises of great deals, but are skimpy on details,” warned Diana Keeler of Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC. “This is a red flag to alert you of a possible scam. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Typically, scam operators won’t include the complete details of their offer until their victim has paid for the trip. Once they’ve received the information, the consumer learns there are restrictions and conditions that make it more costly or even impossible to take the trip. This is the often the case with vacation packages advertised as “free” or “discounted.” Many consumers discover their trip doesn’t include food, taxes, surcharges or deposits when it’s too late and they are hit with additional--and often excessive--charges. What’s worse, scam operators have been known to use deceptive language in brochures luring consumers into signing a contract, thinking they’ve simply signed up for more information.
The best protection against scams is to use a professional travel agent, like Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC, which is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). ASTA members are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics are required to respond to a consumer complaint filed against them with ASTA at the risk of expulsion. For further information on filing a complaint or to determine a company’s membership status, call ASTA’s Consumer Affairs department at (703) 739-8739 or visit ASTA’s Web site at www.astanet.com.
Being an educated consumer is the best way travelers can arm themselves against swindlers. Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC offers the following recommendations to help its clients avoid the hassle and heartache of travel scams:
· Be very skeptical about postcard, fax and phone solicitations which say you’ve been selected to receive a fabulous vacation but which provide few details about the trip.
· Never give your credit card number to a company unless you have used it in the past and are confident about its legitimacy. Be sure you have received complete information in writing before giving any form of payment. These details should clearly indicate total price, cancellation and change penalties and information on all components of the offer.
· Understand that calling 900-numbers is often costly and risky.
· Companies offering to make people instant travel agents are extremely suspect. While they promise industry discounts, only suppliers such as airlines, car rental companies, hotels or cruises have the authority to offer travel agent discounts.
-more-
Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC Helps Consumers Avoid Travel Scams/Page 2
· Prepay timeshares, campgrounds or travel clubs are risky investments. Membership and maintenance fees can increase, or the company could go bankrupt before you have a chance to take advantage of your vacation offer. Timeshares are difficult to resell and rarely
appreciate in value.
· Don’t be pressured into accepting limited-time offers from pushy salespeople--choosing a
vacation is a big decision and legitimate deals won’t expire after a night’s sleep. When in
doubt, always say no.
· Avoid telemarketers. They have no further responsibility to consumers after the sale has been finalized, therefore never give your credit card number or bank information over the phone, not even for so-called verification purposes. According to a recent study by Congress, Americans lose $40 billion annually to fraudulent telephone sales.
Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC
http://www.travelticketsandmore.info
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Diana Keeler, TTMLLC@aol.com
Colorado Springs, CO, 16 April 2009 – A recent AARP survey estimated that 32 million Americans believed they had been the victim of a major fraud in the past year—that’s one in six consumers. As technology has become a part of everyday life, resourceful scam artists are finding more ways to target victims. They are using fax machines, the Internet and e-mail as well as traditional mailings to entice unsuspecting consumers. And unfortunately they’ve proven quite successful.
“Beware of travel offers that are big on pictures and promises of great deals, but are skimpy on details,” warned Diana Keeler of Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC. “This is a red flag to alert you of a possible scam. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Typically, scam operators won’t include the complete details of their offer until their victim has paid for the trip. Once they’ve received the information, the consumer learns there are restrictions and conditions that make it more costly or even impossible to take the trip. This is the often the case with vacation packages advertised as “free” or “discounted.” Many consumers discover their trip doesn’t include food, taxes, surcharges or deposits when it’s too late and they are hit with additional--and often excessive--charges. What’s worse, scam operators have been known to use deceptive language in brochures luring consumers into signing a contract, thinking they’ve simply signed up for more information.
The best protection against scams is to use a professional travel agent, like Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC, which is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). ASTA members are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics are required to respond to a consumer complaint filed against them with ASTA at the risk of expulsion. For further information on filing a complaint or to determine a company’s membership status, call ASTA’s Consumer Affairs department at (703) 739-8739 or visit ASTA’s Web site at www.astanet.com.
Being an educated consumer is the best way travelers can arm themselves against swindlers. Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC offers the following recommendations to help its clients avoid the hassle and heartache of travel scams:
· Be very skeptical about postcard, fax and phone solicitations which say you’ve been selected to receive a fabulous vacation but which provide few details about the trip.
· Never give your credit card number to a company unless you have used it in the past and are confident about its legitimacy. Be sure you have received complete information in writing before giving any form of payment. These details should clearly indicate total price, cancellation and change penalties and information on all components of the offer.
· Understand that calling 900-numbers is often costly and risky.
· Companies offering to make people instant travel agents are extremely suspect. While they promise industry discounts, only suppliers such as airlines, car rental companies, hotels or cruises have the authority to offer travel agent discounts.
-more-
Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC Helps Consumers Avoid Travel Scams/Page 2
· Prepay timeshares, campgrounds or travel clubs are risky investments. Membership and maintenance fees can increase, or the company could go bankrupt before you have a chance to take advantage of your vacation offer. Timeshares are difficult to resell and rarely
appreciate in value.
· Don’t be pressured into accepting limited-time offers from pushy salespeople--choosing a
vacation is a big decision and legitimate deals won’t expire after a night’s sleep. When in
doubt, always say no.
· Avoid telemarketers. They have no further responsibility to consumers after the sale has been finalized, therefore never give your credit card number or bank information over the phone, not even for so-called verification purposes. According to a recent study by Congress, Americans lose $40 billion annually to fraudulent telephone sales.
Travel, Tickets, & More, LLC
http://www.travelticketsandmore.info
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